Hot springs in Washington state: 7 best thermal gems
Washington State is renowned for its beautiful national parks and wildlife refuges and is considered one of the best regions for hiking. While exploring the beauty of the Evergreen State, don't miss the opportunity to make a stop at another local attraction - natural hot springs. They are known for their therapeutic properties, relaxing effects and picturesque scenery.
If you want to not only relax your body, but also heal it from the inside out in hot springs, Washington is ready to offer you the best thermal baths, artificial and natural. Some are located at famous resorts and have additional facilities for a comfortable stay. And to get to the others, you'll have to go on a real wilderness adventure and thrill ride. Here's our ranking of the best hot springs in Washington State, from popular resorts to lesser-known thermal gems.
1. Goldmyer Hot Springs
Undoubtedly, these are the best hot springs in Washington. This geothermal gem is located among the majestic forests of the Cascade Mountains about 45 minutes from Seattle.
To get to the hot springs, you'll have to make a short journey - first, 15 miles by car on a Forest Service dirt road, and then a 4.5-mile hike through rugged but extremely scenic terrain through the forest and the Pratt River. So when planning a trip here, check the weather and road conditions on the official website.
The spring has three hot pools and one refreshing pool with cool water. There are some very interesting locations here, for example, you can climb into a small niche in the rock and sit in the hot water, admiring the forest around you. The water temperature is about 122 degrees Fahrenheit and gradually decreases as it passes through the cascading pools. The facilities here are minimalist: a gazebo, a few picnic tables, three outhouses and a primitive campsite if you want to stay overnight. The spring is managed by the Northwest Wildlife Protection Programme, a non-profit organisation that limits visits to 20 people a day for the sake of conservation. As these natural attractions are popular with tourists, you should book a place here in advance.
2. Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
This commercial resort in Port Angeles has excellent facilities for a family or romantic holiday. It is located in the middle of Olympic National Park and is open from April to October.
The resort offers hot tubs and several swimming pools with thermal water from a nearby natural spring. The temperature in all pools is different, with the hottest pool reaching 104 degrees Fahrenheit. After swimming in the hot springs, you can take a refreshing dip in the freshwater pool.
The resort's hotel arranges accommodation in historic cottages. One of the best campsites in Sol Duc Hot Springs Olympic National Park is also nearby. For guests staying at the resort, access to the springs is included in the price. Otherwise, you can take paid sessions of one and a half hours without accommodation.
This resort is also attractive for visiting Washington hot springs because of its access to famous hiking trails. For example, the Sol Duc Falls trail will lead you to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Washington, Sol Duc, which is 48 feet high.
3. Doe Bay Resort and Retreat
These first-class hot springs in Washington are located in the San Juan Islands. The resort covers more than 30 acres of coastline. It can be reached by ferry.
Visitors are invited to first take a dip in the thermal pools and then continue their relaxation in the spa with a jacuzzi and sauna located right on the shore. Clothing is not required in the pools. Access to the resort grounds and springs is currently only available with accommodation.
The resort offers accommodation in lodges, seasonal yurts, and campsites on the beach. Various promotions and packages for accommodation and services are available throughout the year. In addition to hot springs, the resort offers additional activities such as a yoga studio, guided kayaking excursions to Puget Sound, hiking on the hiking trails of Moran State Park, water sports and music evenings.
The resort also offers a guest kitchen, a shop, a café, a library and a lounge with an outdoor terrace, fire rings and an electric car charging station.
4. Olympic hot springs
This spring is also located on the territory of the Olympic National Park, but in a more rugged area surrounded by forest than Sol Duk, and does not have various comfortable conditions. Instead, it offers a vivid experience of being in the wilderness.
Until 1966, a resort operated here, but after the lease expired, the National Park Service removed all fences and structures from the area. Nowadays, these hot springs in Washington state are not serviced and are similar to ordinary bodies of water in the wild, so visitors should take all precautions. There are about 20 pools with water temperatures ranging from 37.7 to 44.4 degrees Celsius. These spring pools are shallow - up to a foot deep.
It is not easy to get to the springs, so there are not many tourists here. Due to the erosion of the Hot Springs Road, the number of visitors has decreased significantly. Those wishing to visit the springs have to either make a 20-mile round trip hike or cycle from the Madison Falls trailhead along the old road. Visiting the springs is free, but there is a fee for entering the park.
5. Carson Hot Springs Resort
These are popular hot springs in Washington on the territory of a first-class golf resort that focuses on rural seclusion and relaxation. The on-site spa has mineral pools and a traditional bathhouse. In the pools, where visitors undergo mineral therapy, the water temperature is around 40 degrees Celsius. The bathhouse is decorated in the style of the 20s with old therapeutic baths and baths on legs. The water in them comes directly from nearby springs, helping to relieve muscle pain, joint pain and stress.
Guests of the resort can stay overnight at the hotel and access the mineral baths privately. Elegant rooms and suites are available with a jacuzzi on the balcony. The spa is also known for its signature luxury linen wrap massage treatment.
In addition to swimming, take advantage of the 18-hole golf course and explore the Columbia River Gorge and waterfalls.
6. Picturesque hot springs
These hot springs live up to their name, but it's not easy to get here. They are located in the magical Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest about an hour and a half drive from Seattle on private property. Entrance is limited to 10 visitors per day, so the local Washington hot springs can only be visited by booking several weeks in advance.
You will have to make a short hike along a 1.8-mile trail that goes up to 300 metres. The trail is quite steep and passes through the forest, so be prepared for the fact that the journey will be tiring and take about 1.5 hours. There are many signs along the way so you don't get lost. In winter and early spring, the condition of the trail can deteriorate due to snow, so check this point before you go.
As a result, you will discover three natural whirlpools surrounded by the wildlife of alpine lakes. The views of the Cascade mountain range make it worth the journey. Each tub can accommodate 3-4 people, and the water temperature is kept at around 104 degrees Fahrenheit. A resort has been operating around these springs since the late 19th century, but in the 1920s it was abandoned for almost 50 years. Today, they are welcoming visitors again, who first need to obtain a pass on the official website of the springs and make a $10 contribution.
7. Gamma Hot Springs
This option is suitable for experienced tourists and fans of extreme entertainment, as these are the most remote hot springs in Washington state. Gamma is hidden deep in the Glacier Peak desert, and even with navigation equipment, there is no certainty that you will find it. Therefore, for your first tourist outing into the wild, it is better to choose another point.
But if you do decide to go, get ready for a rather dangerous hike to the slope of Gamma Peak, which will take several days. It will be good if you have experience in rock climbing. It is best to leave the car at the end of Seattle River Road and from here start hiking about 11 miles along the Seattle River Trail. It will be a challenging journey with beautiful views - from lush meadows to alpine forests - that will surely leave a lasting impression.
The hot springs area is completely undeveloped, so there is no need to pay any fees. But there are no facilities here either. The spring pool itself is small and quite secluded. Once you get here, don't forget to leave a note with a message in the black pipe next to the pool for its next visitors.